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Thursday, 13 February 2014

LEARN 17 TIMES TABLE THE EASY WAY

The Miracles Of Modern Teaching Methods

It's been a while since I posted, although I have various ideas and subject matter in embryonic form swirling around my cerebral hemispheres. I have been unable to get my digital pen to paper for a while . . . . . . . until NOW, courtesy of a very slick video presentation my daughter showed me last evening.

My daughter is a teacher, teaching 7-8 year old children in the school she actually attended some years ago. She often says to them, "That is the desk I sat in when I was here." and they look at her almost in disbelief.

When she moved to that school as a teacher 2 years ago, from another school where her mother attended as a child (another coincidence) she saw a pile of familiar maths books that had been sitting in a cupboard for about 25 years and low and behold the third one she examined revealed her name as its owner as a child, and she nearly flipped. Yet another a coincidence.

I can say right away, that book was very old fashioned and therefore did not feature such a riveting teaching method we are about to see now. I would also mention that the lady teaching us is none other than the very same lady who taught various mathematics teaching approaches to my daughter during her University Studies before she graduated. Another coincidence - life is really full of them.

So, anyone fancy learning their 17 times table in 10 minutes flat?

You never know you might need it one day.

Well, come on then pull up a chair and let's get started.

Needless to say, the 17 times table does not feature in the children's curriculum but my daughter modifies the principle sometimes for the other tables, using the same idea of the counting stick..

In my day we did not have such luxuries and had to learn the lot parrot fashion, including the 13 times table to 12, the hard way by repetition - but I must say I have never forgotten them and I am surprised how often we need them on almost a daily basis.

43 comments:

its pretty cool...i am teaching my son times tables right now and used a similar technique...that and just flashcards and repetition....you would be surprised how many o my high school students can not multiply

Just pipped at the post Betsy by Brian, or should we call him Speedy Gonzales lol.

Yes it is amazing set of co-incidences. Yes just saying to Brian about Math(s) (we add an s, you might have realized) . . . . . .but you are very talented in the English Department . . . plus of course having a super dooper head with lots of gey matter on your shoulders. Sounds awful doesn't it ROFL . . . but a very pretty one at that.

I loved this, Eddie. It was fun. I admit, I speak more slowly than they do... I am Southern and we are noted for that. But aside from the sped at which they said their numbers, I hung in the with them! ;-)

Very interesting and engaging method. Your daughter was lucky to have this teacher - I suspect it had much to do with her wanting to enter that profession.

I don't believe in coincidences. I do believe that your daughter is on exactly the right path - with these delightful, little confirmations along the way. I do love that she found her own book from years gone by. I'm sure that brought a smile to her face.

Hi Eddie ~ Thanks for the comment on the prayer blog, and your sharing a little more of your life with me.

I think most coincidences are God Things...but how exciting the number of "coin" happened.. To find her old Math book gave me chills.

Very interesting method. I think my X-Tables is the only thing I do remember about Math.

What concerned me the other day, is I wrote a long message in a Birthday Card for my 13 year old grandson. (Is was in cursive)...He took me in the bedroom to admit he doesn't read cursive very well, and wanted me to read it to him. He is a very bright boy who gets good grades, but cursive is NEVER used. Either they print, or type there homework. I understand it, but it makes me sad, as I'm a lover of hand written cards and letters.

I'm so sorry about you loss, and am dealing with a brother that is 10 years younger than me who is dealing with a terminal illness (cancer) and the time frame they have given him is not good. But God is in control...and that's where my hope and faith is...my brother is a believer. Sorry...I ramble.. Will make it shorter next time. I have saved you in my favorites.

Totally fascinated with the video; somehow, I think you knew that I would be.Wonderful!! Thank you for sharing it, my friend.So glad that your daughter is teaching...loving it....and has the wonderful memories of when she was at that school. How heart-touching that Maria attended that same school. Warmest hugs to you and your sweet family.Give your Grandson big hugs from me....

Hi JackieYes I did know this post would interest you, as an ex-teacher of many years. In fact even when I was compiling the post I did say to myself. "I wonder if Jackie will be reading this and what she might make of it."One thing though, Maria attended the first school where Selina taught (gosh that's bad English isn't it? Slapped wrist. Yes little Peter is coming on nicely and it was remarkable to witness his little light switch of consciousness being switched on from almost non response to a now enquiring, expressive, communicating (albeit in baby language), smiling and laughing little chap of 14 weeks. I expect he will be learning his 17 times table soon lolMany hugs ~ Eddie

Hi WandaThanks for the comment and maybe the events were not coincidences at all and all meant to be. God moves in very strange ways sometimes and I do wish He would whisper in our ears sometimes to tell us what He wants. He keeps us on our toes.

Cursive I believe is what some of us Brits know as 'Joined Up Writing'. Well it is difficult to read at first - it's as simple as that! But we get used to it eventually and so will he. In fact my joined up writing is sometimes difficult to read - even by me!! lol if I am in a hurry.Please feel free to ramble on - because what you say is interesting.Thanks for your kind thoughts! I am slowly coming to terms with things.Hugs ~ Eddie

Hi Eddie, sorry that I am so late in commenting! This is brilliant, and if only I had had such a wonderful teacher at school I would have learned so much better, if this is the way that children are taught now that is so very good. How amazing about your daughter and the school though - indeed, what a coincidence!!

Yes - teachers today elicit much greater interest and enthusiasm.Take my example - I actually fell asleep in an Economics class once at school! The penalty was four strokes with the cane which is another story.Yes - we were surprised when we heard she was teaching at the school and when she found her old maths book.

Great post, Eddie! I'm with Secret Agent Woman and will stick with a calculator. LOL And it's interesting that your daughter has had so many syncros in her life and I don't believe in coincidences either. Cheers!

I am really enjoying the alternative movie quotes you leave on my blog! I took a series of shots of the "beary" happy couple, created a post card ( yes, with quotes!) out of one of them, and sent it to a friend. Glad you get a kick out of my post ;-)

Glad you like them too!Funny, that those characters just seem to ignite my sense of humour. Their expressions are so silly and to make them say some fav quotes just somehow tickles my chuckle muscle, and it seems your's too.

I often pop over and you know what, I am quite disappointed that others have not left any more movie quotes. Thinking!!!

You speak the truth, Eddie, as usual. Those repetitious times table lessons have stood me in good stead for many years. I probably would have appreciated the easier method, had it been available, but the old way certainly worked!

Glad to see you back here. I'll have to stop by more often to see if you've developed any of the embryonic ideas!

thanks eddie...dad is getting better daily...home now he is sleeping better and i imagine when we go back down tomorrow he will be looking better after a day of rest...crazy times man...hard to see your parents hurting...

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